A car door slammed, then heavy footsteps rushed in. Cass had the gun pointed at the hall when Zane burst into the room.
He took in the destruction and drawled, “Am I late?”
Epilogue
Two Days Later
Grayson held Cass’s hand as they stood in Elias’s hospital room. She seemed steadier, likely because she had spent most of yesterday and this morning talking to her family. He wasn’t sure what all had been said, but the earlier tensions were replaced by the beginnings of something healthier. He figured she’d catch him up that night, which was good as they were headed back to Phoenix the next day. There was no room for Grayson to sit. Rhea sat on the edge of Elias’s bed, while Sofia and Cole took the two visitors’ chairs.
Nearby, Zane leaned against the wall, arms over his chest, as he filled them in. “Samson’s still not talking.”
“Not a surprise,” Grayson said, thinking of the earth mage, who hadn’t stopped fucking around until Grayson had shattered both his legs and his hips. That kind of defiance was fueled by stupidity or fanaticism, and since Samson was the brains behind this entire mess, he was far from stupid.
“No, but that will change.” Zane sounded certain. “We’re still trying to pin down the Slider’s identity, but with Burton’s additional resources, it’s only a matter of time before we have that. As for Dana Marr, we had to dig deep to find her real name.” He shot Cole a sympathetic look. “Daniella Novak.”
Cole’s skin still held a pallor, but his eyes were dark and hard. “She’s related to Jude?”
“He’s her uncle,” Zane confirmed. “Her targeting you was twofold—taking revenge on the council for killing her uncle and using you for the Cabal.”
“And Russ?” Elias asked.
“He and Daniella worked for the same company, and while we don’t have solid proof, the assumption is she managed to convince him to work for the Cabal.”
“And targeting us got them what?” Rhea asked as she held Elias’s hand.
“A coup,” Cole answered. “Pythia is a crucial component in many pivotal decisions.”
“Including tracking a potential council member’s nomination,” Zane added.
According to what Cass had shared with Grayson the previous night, that potential would most likely turn into an actual council seat. When he’d asked if she was planning on sharing that information with Cole, she had shaken her head and told him she wasn’t interested in tempting Fate anytime soon.
Next to him, Cass stirred and spoke up. “Not to mention that if the Cabal could embed an agent in Pythia, they could find a way to stop or change prediction outcomes.”
“And if he was to marry into our family, even better.” Sofia’s tone was disillusioned. “Especially if he married the naive youngest daughter.”
“Not so naive,” Cass corrected gently. “You weren’t going to go through with it.”
Sofia gave her a small, grateful smile. “There is that.”
Zane cleared his throat and appeared to be a little uncomfortable. “If it helps any, Russ had real feelings for you, which is why Dana turned on him.”
Color rode under Sofia’s cheeks, and sorrow shadowed her face for a moment before she looked away.
Feeling for her, Grayson decided to switch topics. “So, what happens now?”
Cole carefully got to his feet and straightened his shirt. “Now I have the lovely Candace verify that no more rats have infested my businesses, while Zane hunts the one pulling Samson’s strings. In the meantime…” He walked over to Rhea and took her free hand. “I owe you and your family my sincerest apologies. I’m sorry for all of this ugly business. I would understand if you prefer to no longer continue our professional relationship.”
“Don’t, Cole.” She pulled her hand free and shared a look with Elias, shadows flitting across her face. When she turned back to Cole, her expression was clear. “We’ve always been aware of the risks involved. Pythia has no reason to dissolve your contract, and my mother would have read me the riot act if I even suggested it.”
A faint flash of humor lit Cole’s eyes as he inclined his head. “Thank you.” He turned and shook Elias’s hand. “Elias.”
“Cole.”
Cole turned to Zane. “We have a meeting tomorrow, I believe?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Grayson, Cassandra, I appreciate all you’ve done,” Cole said. “If you should ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.” With that, the soon-to-be-councilman took his leave.
